Monday Afternoon News, February 5th

Plymouth County Sheriff’s Deputies and Remsen Police Arrest Two With Possession of Controlled Substance

(Remsen) — Plymouth County Sheriff’s Deputies, along with the Remsen Police Department arrested two people Friday morning at about 1:00 a.m. in Remsen for various drug possession charges. A traffic stop was conducted after individuals
inside the vehicle were suspected of theft at the Le Mars Walmart store. A narcotics detection K-9 dog was used around the perimeter of the vehicle. As a result of the K-9 detecting the odor of narcotics coming from the vehicle, a search was conducted and officers found methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle, 40 year old David Wheeler of Sutherland, was placed under arrest for second offense of possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and operating a vehicle
while under the influence of a controlled substance. The passenger in the vehicle, 42-year old Michelle Pattison of Sutherland was placed under arrest for possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Both
individuals were booked into the Plymouth County Jail.

Political Caucuses Scheduled For This Evening

(Le Mars) — Tonight is political caucus night for both the Republicans and the Democrats, and although off-year caucuses don’t attract as much attention as when there is a presidential election, they still play an important role in determining party platforms and future polices. All Plymouth County Democrats
meeting at the Le Mars Community High School inside the Little Theater. As for Plymouth County Republicans, they will meet at several locations throughout the county. Republicans residing in precincts 1 and 6 will convene at the Catholic Parish Hall at Akron. Precincts 3,4,11,12, and 13 which includes all of Le
Mars, will meet at the Willow Creek Golf Course. Precincts 2 and 10 will meet at the Kingsley Community Center at Kingsley. Precinct 5 is scheduled to gather at the MMC-RU Middle School at Remsen. Precincts 7,8,and 9 will meet at the Kissinger Community Center at Merrill. During this evening’s caucus, voting delegates and alternatives will be chosen. Mark Sturgeon serves as the chairman for the Plymouth County Democratic party and explains why tonight’s caucus still serves as an important political function.

The political caucuses for both the Democrats and Republicans will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Despite Snow, Caucuses Will Continue

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa caucuses will take place as planned despite snow that is expected to make travel difficult in much of the state.
The state Republican and Democratic parties issued a joint statement Monday morning stating that officials realized the wintry weather would make it difficult for some people to reach caucus sites. However, officials noted that after a review of state law and the party constitutions, there wasn’t a provision to postpone the caucuses due to weather.
The meetings are scheduled to start at 7 p.m. Monday.
Because it’s a non-presidential year, those who participate in the caucuses will elect party committee members and delegates.

Sioux City Council To Consider Program to Lease Bikes

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Sioux City may work with a bike-sharing service that could bring up to 250 bicycles to the city’s downtown this spring.
The City Council will vote Monday on a service agreement with LimeBike, an app that commuters use to locate “smart
bikes” and rent them with a credit card or PayPal. The service could bring 250 free-standing and self-locking bicycles by March.
City Parks and Recreation Manager Angel Wallace says LimeBike is intriguing because it doesn’t require the installation of docks, which could be expensive.
Wallace says it could provide affordable transportation and recreation opportunities.
Gabriel Scheer is LimeBike’s strategic development director. Scheer says the city has the demographics and multiple colleges to make it a successful location to launch.
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Iowa Central Community College To Offer Bond Issue

FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) – Voters will decide on a proposed $25.5 million bond issue to pay for improvements at Iowa Central Community College.
The Fort Dodge Messenger reports the bond issue on Tuesday’s ballot would pay for work at facilities in Eagle Grove, Fort Dodge, Storm Lake and Webster City.
Voters in Buena Vista, Calhoun, Greene, Hamilton, Humboldt, Pocahontas, Sac, Webster and Wright counties will decide on the request. To be enacted, the bond needs approval by 60 percent of people who cast ballots.
If approved, the measure would increase property taxes by $12 a year for the owner of a $100,000 home.
Projects that would be financed by the bond include a new student center in Fort Dodge, a new industrial training facility in Storm Lake and a new biofuels testing lab.
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